Baboush Flats Plan - Leigh-on-Sea

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Leigh On Sea News: Baboush Flats Plan – PLANS are set to be given the go ahead to convert part of a popular restaurant into three flats.

Baboush Flats Plan - PLANS are set to be given the go ahead to convert part of a popular restaurant into three flats.

PLANS are set to be given the go ahead to convert part of a popular restaurant into three flats.

Southend Council has been recommended to approve plans to turn Baboush, in The Ridgeway, Chalkwell, into scaled back designs for flats.

In August, owner Mehmet Hassan submitted plans to convert both the ground floor and first floor into four flats.

However, the plans have been altered and scaled back in recent weeks to include just three flats and for a commercial space to be retained on the ground floor.

James Courtenay, councillor responsible for the Chalkwell ward, reportedly commented: “The members of development control need to consider all pros and cons.

“It is in a prime residential location. It is not a massive overdevelopment like seen in some areas, but, my question and concern is around parking. It would also be disappointing to see a loss of a restaurant serving local people.

“The rest of that parade is commercial, so turning part of it into residential is also disappointing.

“It is finely balanced. In an ideal world, it is all commercial underneath and flats on top.”

In the planning documents owner Mr Hassan cited the Covid pandemic and cost of living crisis as having “greatly affected” the business.

The document states: “Our client has operated this venue since 2016 after an expensive refurbishment of the restaurant premises.

“Initially the venue was able to source a great compliment of staff and performed extremely well, however, as with many of the hospitality businesses nationwide, it was greatly affected by Covid, cost of living, and energy costs.”

It also highlights how the business, which focuses more on late-night trade, has “become a nuisance to its neighbours”.

According to the planning document, should this application be successful, staff currently employed at the venue will be relocated to other food-led businesses owned by Mr Hassan.

The initial plans have been objected to by the Chalkwell Ward Residents Association.

They stated: “This section of The Ridgeway has always been the commercial centre of the Chalkwell Hall estate, with the premises in question having been a restaurant dating back for many decades.

“There are concerns over parking. It appears from the plans that no provision has been made for on-site parking for the flats.”

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